Also you forgot to mention - Osaka okonomiyaki is quite possibly one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten.

DAMN YOU!!!! You are not to mention that again! Grrrr (>_<) You're correct of course, this is one of the most delicious things i have eaten, also! (Which is why i flipped out! lol) In fact, my friend delights in sending me pics of his Okonomiyaki when he goes to eat at RuRu's in Takaoka, which is in fact just like my home town of Runcorn, with Toyama being like Liverpool!

I had job lined up with NOVA roughly two years ago just before everything hit the fan for them - my sister and her bf had worked for them on and off for years, but obviously once they stopped paying employees etc I turned it down.

Kind of threw a spanner in the works for me life wise but these things happen - still want to go live there for a year or so (in Osaka or close by), and give time to immerse myself in the culture (and the delicious okonomiyaki), perhaps when I finish my bachelor and can get in there a bit easier.